US Open 2021: Djokovic wears down Berrettini - now against Zverev
Novak Djokovic has reached the semifinals of the US Open 2021. The world number one defeated Matteo Berrettini 5: 7, 6: 2, 6: 2 and 6: 3 and plays against Alexander Zverev on Friday.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Sep 09, 2021, 06:32 am
Matteo Berrettini urgently needed a break from the middle of the second set. But the Italian wasn't even granted that when the roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed at the start of round three. Continue playing, so the announcement of the head judge. And Novak Djokovic, who had long since taken command after losing the first set, was only too happy to continue playing. In the end, the world number one won after a playing time of 3:26 hours with 5: 7, 6: 2, 6: 2 and 6: 3.
This means that the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics, which many tennis fans have hoped for, will be relaunched a few weeks ago on Friday: Novak Djokovic against Alexander Zverev. In Japan, Zverev Djokovic had stolen an almost certain victory again, the German suspected after his three-set win against Lloyd Harris earlier on Wednesday that Djokovic probably had great feelings of revenge.
Djokovic in the semifinals against Zverev
However, the best-of-three mode was played in Tokyo. In the match against Berrettini, Novak Djokovic showed why he is almost unbeatable over the full distance of a major game. Berrettini played terrific tennis in the first set, risked a lot, but used almost all of his strength. Djokovic, on the other hand, increased his level, the Italian only knew how to get air on a few occasions with serve and forehand. In sets two to four, however, the favorite made things clear with breaks early on.
With the fourth success in the fourth clash against Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic is now only two wins to the calendar Grand Slam. First in the semifinals against Zverev, who is much fitter compared to Berrettini. Then in the final either against Félix Auger-Aliassime or Daniil Medvedev. So two stumbling blocks are still waiting on the way to tennis history.
Here the single tableau in New York
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